Bangalore: Karnataka Chief Minister N Dharam Singh today (Oct 18, 2004) expressed happiness over the gunning down of forest brigand Veerappan, saying his menace had ended.

Singh who is in Delhi said in a statement from there that elusive run of Veerappan had been ended though it took time.

Complimenting the Special Task Forces of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, Singh said both the States as well as Kerala had extended their cooperation in the operations to nab Veerappan.

Water Resources Minister Mallikarjun Kharge, who was the Home Minister during the crisis involving the kidnap and subsequent mysterious death of former Minister H Nagappa in the custody of Veerappan, said the joint work and devotion of both Karnataka and Tamil Nadu had yielded results finally.

"It was a great boost to the police of both the States and a great relief to the people," Kharge, said. "The arm of law had at last caught him."